QING: Tong Zhi, 1862-1874, AE charm (5.59g), Suzhou Mint, Jiangsu Province, su in Chinese & Manchu on reverse, "poem cash" type, VF, ex K.K. Lee Collection, in old American Missionary Church Tithe & Offering Envelope dated June 2, 1929. Zheng Yiwei and Chen Tielong in their book, Classic Chinese Charms, mention this type was cast in Sichuan Province even though a different mint name appears on the coin. This is part of the "poem cash" (shi qian) series. The original series was cast during the reign of Kang Xi with a single Chinese character on the right and single Manchu character on the left on the reverse representing the mint name. The complete set of all 20 coin are always placed in the following order to create the poem, "Tóng fú lín dong jiang xuan yuán su jì chang nán níng hé guang zhè tái guì shan yún zhang." In our opinion, this series of Tong Zhi's poem coins were cast during the Guang Xu period, 1875-1908.
Estimate: USD 200 - 300